If your child seems to be well, other than having a high temperature – for example, if they are playing and attentive – it is less likely that they are seriously ill.

Treating a fever

If your child has a fever, it's important to keep them hydrated by giving them plenty of cool water to drink. Even if your child isn't thirsty, try to get them to drink little and often to keep their fluid levels up.

To help reduce your child’s temperature you can also:

keep them cool if the environment is warm – for example, you can just cover them with a lightweight sheet (but they should be appropriately dressed for their surroundings)

keep their room cool – 18°C (65°F) is about right (open a window if you need to)

give them children's paracetamol or ibuprofen – you can't give them both at the same time, but if one doesn’t work you may want to try the other later. These are painkillers that also act as antipyretics, meaning they help to reduce fever

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Comments

The 3 comments about ‘Fever in children’ posted are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

dhb said on 13 May 2014

Hi i have found the information re reducing a fever confusing because on one page it says

'To help reduce your child’s temperature you can also:keep them cool if the environment is warm – for example, you can just cover them with a lightweight sheet (but they should be appropriately dressed for their surroundings)'

Then on another page it says

'The following suggestions may help your child feel more comfortable:Undress them to their nappy or vest and pants.

my girl caitlyn said on 16 November 2011

my daughter had a fever last night, but even though she was red hot her hands and feet were freezing. the tips of her fingers were almost turning blue and it frightened the life out of me. is this normal in a fever??

my girl caitlyn said on 16 November 2011

my daughter had a fever last night, but even though she was red hot her hands and feet were freezing. the tips of her fingers were almost turning blue and it frightened the life out of me. is this normal in a fever??